Nigella papillosa
Origin: Unknown
Improvement status: Cultivar
Seeds per packet: ~120
Germination tested 11/2023: 84%
Life cycle: Annual
'Delft Blue' is a charming love-in-a-mist with white and blue-purple flowers, reminiscent of the colors of the famous Dutch "Delft Blue" pottery. We can't find any information on the origin of this variety or who bred it, so if anyone can help us fill in the story, please get in touch! This variety is typically listed as Nigella papillosa, but from what we can tell this may just be a synonym for Nigella hispanica (quite mysterious, no?), but in either case, it is quite similar to the more common Nigella damascena, and can be used similarly. The early-blooming flowers are a delight to behold, and the balloon-like seed pods are beautiful fresh or dried in flower arrangements.
Our seed comes from the great flower farmers of Wild Garden Seed in Philomath, Oregon.